Egypt's revenues from the Suez Canal hit $469.6 million in September, down from $504.5 million in August but up from $403.7 million in September 2007, according to government officials.

The canal is an important source of foreign currency for Egypt, along with tourism, oil and gas exports and remittances from Egyptians living abroad.

The number of vessels passing through the waterway fell to 1,872 in September from 1,993 in August but rose from 1,761 in September 2007.-Reuters